NFL: Eagles sign Felix Jones to one-year deal

Associated Press
Cowboys running back Felix Jones dives for a touchdown as Eagles free safety Kurt Coleman (42) and defensive end Brandon Graham (54) defend in a Nov. 11, 2012, game at Lincoln Financial Field. Thanks to a trade Tuesday, Jones will be on the other side of the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry this season, playing for coach Chip Kelly.

Running back Felix Jones chose Kelly and the Eagles, who signed him to a one-year contract Tuesday, over the New England Patriots. The Patriots were hot on the trail of Jones, an explosive runner, receiver and kickoff returner when healthy.

Jones thought he might wind up playing with Tom Brady after a cozy visit.

“It was a great workout, I believe,” Jones said. “And I believe they were interested. But I felt like the Eagles were the best fit for me.”

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Jones averaged 4.8 yards per carry in five seasons with the Cowboys, rushing for 11 touchdowns and tormenting the Eagles along the way.

In the first game of his rookie season, Jones returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score against the Eagles. In a wild-card game the following season, Jones gashed the Eagles with 148 rushing yards, including a 73-yard scoring run to spark the Cowboys to a blowout victory at Texas Stadium. That was Donovan McNabb’s last game with the Eagles.

Then came the nagging ankle, knee and shoulder injuries.

“Things just didn’t go right as far as the injuries and things,” Jones said after his first Eagles practice. “But that’s how the game is. You’ve just got to keep pushing on and keep moving.”

If Jones (6-0, 200) stays healthy, his skill set could mesh well with what Kelly has shown signs of doing offensively. Jones wasn’t cut out for the Cowboys’ between-the-tackles power game.

With the Eagles, Jones will be used in space.

The addition of Jones indicates Kelly is concerned about the depth at running back. Eagles starter LeSean McCoy is coming off a subpar season in which he suffered a nasty concussion. Backup Bryce Brown looked the part of feature back until breaking out in the fumbles. Backup Chris Polk is less experienced than Brown.

Jones, the 2008 first-round draft pick of the Cowboys, is a threat on the edges in both the run and pass games. He averaged 8.3 yards per catch and had three TD grabs for the Cowboys.

Jones, 26, has a career average of 24.0 yards on kickoff returns. He clocked a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.

“Right now I’m feeling good, I’m 100 (percent) and ready to go and I’m excited about being here and running and feeling fast,” Jones said. “I just can’t wait to get the playbook down and move even faster.”

With the Cowboys, Jones had 569 rushes for 2,728 yards as well as 11 touchdowns and 127 receptions for 1,062 yards and three scores.

Last season Jones appeared in 16 games with seven starts for the Cowboys, producing 402 yards and three touchdowns on 111 carries and 25 receptions for 262 yards and two scores. All of the work came with an underachieving, patchwork offensive line.

While Jones was questioned about accepting that he’s no longer a feature back, the reality is he never was.

Jones’ top season in the NFL was in 2010 when he rushed for 800 yards and one score and hauled in 48 passes for 450 yards and one touchdown. Marion “The Barbarian” Barber was the workhorse for that Cowboys team.

At Arkansas, Jones backed up Darren McFadden, who was the fourth overall pick in 2008. Jones and McFadden are the only backs to rush for 5,000 or more yards with the Razorbacks.

Jones’ 7.7 career yards-per-carry average trails only Glen Davis (8.3 yards, 1943-46) of Army in NCAA history.

“There are good backs here and I’m definitely competing for a spot to play,” Jones said. “It’s going to be fun learning from those guys and help them out. And I’ll help them with my game as well. I always played with a couple backs anyway ever since college. It’s always a thrill to have a couple of good people in your position because they can push you.”

The Cowboys are comfortable with DeMarco Murray and Phillip Tanner at running back. They drafted Joseph Randle of Oklahoma State in the fifth round. Jones wasn’t in their plan.

Jones said he has no grudge against the Cowboys and it wasn’t a requirement to remain in the NFC East. But he’s grateful for the opportunity to play them.

“It’s a great rivalry and I’m just glad that I’m able to continue playing in this conference and this division, and I’m excited,” Jones said. “I’m happy and I can’t wait to get going.”